For many Denver households, the challenge of making ends meet does not end when the rent is paid. For families living on limited or fixed incomes, housing costs can leave very little money available for groceries, transportation, utilities, health care and other basic needs.
At Archway, we see how housing expenses can directly impact other areas of our residents’ lives. A household that spends a large share of its income on rent, for example, may have to make the same difficult decision every month about what other necessities it can afford. When housing expenses become too much, food insecurity can become a reality for Denver households.
Food Insecurity in Denver is Also a Housing Issue
While a household may have physical access to healthy, nutritious food, the ability to purchase and obtain food is often an issue of household financial stability. According to The State of Food Insecurity Report, conducted by the City and County of Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment, 68% of surveyed Denver residents say food being too expensive is a significant barrier to food access.
These responses came from households across every income level, district and demographic group, showing that food insecurity is being driven by affordability, not access. As a result of economic barriers, 35% of Denver adults cut or skipped meals in the past year. Of these adults, 47% did so every month, meaning food insecurity across Denver is a chronic issue, not a temporary one.
Of the households that made the difficult decision to prioritize food, 27% were forced to cut back on utilities, 20% reduced rent or mortgage payments and an additional 27% skipped medicine or healthcare.
With rising housing costs, households are being forced to choose between competing necessities on a month-to-month basis.
How SNAP Benefits Help Denver Households
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as SNAP, provides monthly food assistance to eligible low-income households. In Colorado, benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can be used at participating food retailers. Eligibility is generally based on factors including household income, resources and size.
In 2025, 32% of Denver households received SNAP/EBT benefits, according to The State of Food Insecurity Report. For low-income households, SNAP can be an important resource. When a household receives assistance with its grocery costs, more of its limited income may be available for rent, utilities, transportation and other necessities.
This does not mean SNAP eliminates food insecurity. In 2025, 17% of Denver households reported that not all stores carry culturally relevant foods, while some households identified the cost and availability of healthy food as an additional challenge. It is also important to note that SNAP does not cover the cost of hygiene supplies, cleaning supplies or other household supplies that can be purchased at a grocery store.
Instead, SNAP should be viewed as one part of a larger network of resources that can help households maintain stability. Combined, SNAP and affordable housing can help reduce financial pressure by providing more predictable monthly expenses. Food banks, utility assistance, health services, employment programs and other community resources can provide additional support to help make a meaningful difference.
Connecting Residents to Available Resources
At Archway, nearly 40% of households identified the food access program as the most important resource provided by Archway in 2025. Additionally, Archway’s Supportive Services team works with residents to connect them to external community resources, such as SNAP.
Residents may not know that they qualify for SNAP, may be uncertain about how to apply, or may be concerned about navigating the application process. Providing clear information and connecting residents with trusted community partners can help remove some of these barriers. As of today, more than half of Archway residents are enrolled in SNAP.
Eligibility for SNAP, however, has become more restrictive following H.R.1. “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. Some non-citizen immigrant communities are no longer eligible, including refugees, asylees and paroles and some additional individuals must now meet work requirements.
For additional eligibility information, we encourage you to explore the Immigrant Support Toolkit, created by the Office of Human Rights & Community Partnerships, as well as the Work Rules SNAP Screener. Denver Human Services is also available to support with additional benefits questions.
Building a More Stable Denver
At Archway, we believe housing stability is foundational to household well-being. We also understand that for stable housing to be most effective, residents must also have access to the food, health care, employment opportunities and other resources they need to thrive.
Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among affordable housing providers, government agencies, food assistance organizations, nonprofits, health providers and community members. Thanks to the continued support of our partners, Archway has been able to distribute 9,000 pounds of food to the Mosaic Community Campus in the past year.
Ultimately, food security and housing stability share the same goal: helping Denver residents build healthier, more financially secure lives. When families can afford both a safe place to call home and enough nutritious food to put on the table, the entire community benefits.
